Cynthia Rylant Reviews

Added December 17, 2007

Gooseberry Park

Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Arthur Howard
Publisher: Harcourt Books
Available At: Bookstores everywhere
Publishing Date: August 2007 - Reissue
Genre: Middle Reader
Format: Trade paper
Price: $5.95
ISBN-10: 0152061592
ISBN-13: 978-0-15-206159-3
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

Grab a bench at Gooseberry Park and be prepared to meet some amazing and adorable animals. When Kona, a Labrador retriever, finds out that his best friend, Stumpy, a squirrel, lost her nest in a violent ice storm, he slips, slides and crawls his way to the park to help her. That nest was more than her home; it was the only safety she had for her three little babies. As the wind howls, and Kona yowls, the meaningful, and almost magical connection between this dog and the squirrel touches readers' hearts with its uncomplicated sincerity.

Cynthia Rylant is an exceptional writer with a vivid imagination. I loved every page of this extraordinary book and wish that I could actually visit Gooseberry Park. Besides Kona and Stumpy, readers will also enjoy meeting Murray, a bat with a healthy appetite and a wacky sense of humor, and Gwendolyn, a hermit crab with a generous heart and a wise mind. Together, all of these characters create an atmosphere of love and caring, revealing the true meaning of friendship.

The plot moves along quickly, easily holding the young reader's interest. The illustrations by Arthur Howard are perfect, adding a visual appeal that makes the story line more real. Moments of humor cause giggles, and the quiet conversations of these special friends put them within hugging (and petting!) distance. While the animals all possess different qualities and abilities, they are united in their love for one another. Kona's heroism will be applauded, but the actions of the rest of the cast will also be appreciated. There is a subtle message here about the importance of every individual, yet, the moral is so tenderly told, the heart of readers will only feel the flutter of the wonders of true friendship.

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